Issue 39 - July 2003
Welcome to the Contaminated Sediments News, a monthly review of
recent journal articles, issues in the press, upcoming conferences,
and other news. Items for the CS News are chosen from the
results of a detailed search of a number of scientific and technical
publication databases, as well as from searches of media publication
databases (including newspapers and magazines).
Check back to this site frequently to see each new issue of the
Contaminated Sediments News, and visit the CS News
Archive to find past issues.
Note: The summaries found on this website are based on articles
from the press and from peer-reviewed publications, and they represent
the opinions of the original authors. The views of authors expressed
herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States
Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement
purposes. Reference herein to any specific commercial products,
process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation,
or favoring by the United States Government.
Summarized Journal Articles
For NP, there was no clear concentration-dependent response,
so no EC10 or EC50
could be estimated. The LOEC in the experiments with NP was 10
µg g/kg. The authors concluded that their research indicates
P. antipodarum is highly sensitive to the tested endocrine
disruptors at environmentally relevant concentrations. Additionally,
they noted that the biotest with P. antipodarum is a useful
tool for the identification of sediment-bound pollutants and for
the assessment of sediment quality.
Source: Duft, M. et al.; Stimulated embryo production as a
parameter of estrogenic exposure via sediments in the freshwater
mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum; Aquatic Toxicology
64 (4): 437-449, 2003.
- Degradation of nonylphenol
ethoxylates in estuarine sediment under aerobic and anaerobic
conditions – Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO)
surfactants and their metabolites are ubiquitous aquatic contaminants,
which have been extensively studied to determine their environmental
fate related to concerns about toxicity and estrogenic activity.
However, the pathways of NPEO degradation in sediments, which
appears to be an important sink for these compounds in the environment,
have not previously been reported in the scientific literature.
The authors examined the rates and pathways of NPEO degradation
in batch sediment slurry experiments using radiolabeled NPEO mixtures
and found that NPEOs are more persistent in sediments under anaerobic
conditions than in the presence of oxygen. NPEO degradation was
found to proceed via separate pathways in oxic and anoxic sediment.
As a part of the study, the authors were able to identify discernible
metabolites and estimate an overall mass balance for NPEO degradation
in oxic and anoxic sediment. In contrast with previous studies,
no evidence was observed for net production of nonylphenol from
NPEOs during aerobic or anaerobic degradation. The authors observed
that the relative degradation rates of NPEO ethoxymers in sediment
slurry experiments to be consistent with previous reports for
these compounds in sediment and other environmental media. However,
the absolute degradation rates measured in this study were somewhat
faster than those reported for field sediments.
Source: Ferguson, P.L. and B.J. Brownawell; Degradation
of nonylphenol ethoxylates in estuarine sediment under aerobic
and anaerobic conditions; Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry/SETAC 22 (6): 1189-1199, 2003.
- PCB and PAH speciation
among particle types in contaminated harbor sediments and effects
on PAH bioavailability – This research evaluated
the distribution of PCB and PAH at a particle-scale in sediments
obtained from three urban locations in the United States: Hunters
Point, CA; Milwaukee Harbor, WI; and Harbor Point, NY. The sediments
from these locations were composed of mineral grains (primarily
sand, silt, and clays) and carbonaceous particles (primarily coal,
coke, charcoal, pitch, cenospheres, and wood). Density separation
techniques were used to separate the carbonaceous sediment fractions
from the mineral fractions. The carbonaceous fractions were then
identified by petrographic analysis. In all three sediments, carbonaceous
particles contributed 5-7% of the total mass and 60-90% of the
PCBs and PAHs. The authors note that the production of carbonaceous
particles is not typically associated with PCB contamination,
which makes it very unlikely that these particles can be the source
of PCBs in the environment. They note that the carbonaceous particles
act as sorbents to preferentially accumulate PCBs in the aqueous
environment. The assumed sources of the PCBs are direct releases
to the sediment or air deposition as soot particles.
Treatment of the sediment in an aerobic bioslurry resulted in
negligible PAH loss from the carbonaceous coal-derived material
in Milwaukee Harbor. However, the same treatment resulted in 80%
of the PAHs being removed from carbonaceous particles in Harbor
Point sediment. Microscale PAH extraction and analysis revealed
that PAHs in Harbor Point sediment were associated mainly with
coal tar pitch residue. PAHs present in semisolid coal tar pitch
are more bioavailable than PAHs sorbed on carbonaceous particles
such as coal, coke, charcoal, and cenosphere. Results of this
study illustrate the importance of understanding characteristics
of the sediment, i.e., particle-scale association, of hydrophobic
organic contaminants for explaining bioavailability differences
among sediments.
Source: Ghosh, U. et al.; PCB and PAH speciation among particle
types in contaminated harbor sediments and effects on PAH bioavailability;
Environmental Science & Technology 37 (10): 2209-2217,
2003.
- Uptake and depuration
of 4-nonylphenol by the benthic invertebrate Gammarus pulex:
how important is feeding rate? – The water
column is generally thought to be the major exposure and uptake
route for soluble toxins by aquatic organisms. However, for hydrophobic
chemicals (like many organic chemicals), exposure and uptake through
diet are often the more important exposure pathways because these
types of chemicals adsorb onto organic sediments and food. 4-nonylphenol
(NP) has recently become more closely scrutinized because of its
toxicity and possible endocrine disrupting effects in aquatic
life. NP is a persistent and hydrophobic (log KOW = 4.48) contaminant
in many aquatic systems, including water column and sediments.
In this study, the relative importance of NP uptake through accumulation
from diet and water was examined for the detritus-feeding freshwater
shrimp Gammarus pulex. The authors used a bootstrap nonlinear
regression technique, to estimate the level of NP present in G.
pulex at any time during or after initial exposure. Heterogeneity,
together with assumptions on feeding rate, was shown to significantly
affect the determination of NP uptake. The results of the study
suggest that major uptake of NP by G. pulex may be through
food and sediment, but may also occur through water column exposure.
The statistical and modeling methodology developed for this study
may be applied to other uptake and depuration assessments for
any aquatic organisms exhibiting a variable feeding phase.
Source: Gross-Sorokin, M.Y. et al.; Uptake and depuration
of 4-nonylphenol by the benthic invertebrate Gammarus pulex:
how important is feeding rate?; Environmental Science
& Technology 37 (10): 2236-2241, 2003.
-
Altered swimming performance of a benthic fish (Erimyzon
sucetta) exposed to contaminated sediments –
Coal combustion wastes (ash) have been shown to adversely affect
fish populations, but few controlled laboratory studies have
evaluated the responses of individual fish to ash exposure.
Available information in the literature suggests that sublethal
effects (i.e., decreased growth rates and reduced fecundity)
of ash may be important causes of toxicity. In this study, the
authors hypothesized that ash may have other important effects
on fish, such as altering swimming performance. To test this
hypothesis, the authors measured sprint speed and critical swimming
speed of juvenile lake chubsuckers (Erimyzon sucetta)
exposed to ash in the laboratory. Fish exposed to ash for 90-100
days showed the following effects:
- Accumulation of significant concentrations of As, Se, Sr,
and V
- Exhibiting severe fin erosion
- Reduced sprint speed and maximum swimming speed
Compared to controls, sprint speed of ash-exposed fish was reduced
by 30% at 5 cm and the percent reduction was further reduced to
104% at 20 cm. Critical swimming speed was approximately 50% lower
in fish exposed to ash compared to controls. Additionally, the
typical positive relationship between standard length and critical
swimming speed was absent in fish exposed to ash. Reductions in
swimming performance could not be attributed to pollutant-induced
differences in body condition or fin morphology. The authors concluded
that physiological disruptions (e.g., increased energy demands,
decreased oxygen uptake or transport) are responsible for the
observed effects and warrant further attention.
Source: Hopkins, W.A. et al.; Altered swimming performance
of a benthic fish (Erimyzon sucetta) exposed to contaminated sediments;
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 44 (3):
383-389, 2003.
-
Biological effects of marine PCB contamination on black
guillemot nestlings at Saglek, Labrador: liver biomarkers
– Marine sediment contamination around a former military
site are linked to elevated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations
in black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) in Saglek Bay, Labrador.
The authors measured liver biomarkers and sigma PCB concentrations
in 31 nestlings from three PCB-exposure groups:
- Reference group (range: 15-46 ng/g liver, wet wt.)
- Moderately exposed Islands group (24-150 ng/g)
- Highly exposed Beach group (170-6200 ng/g)
Biomarker responses were found to be dose-dependent and in
some cases sex-dependent. Livers of female Beach nestlings were
36% larger than Reference females. In both sexes, Beach nestlings
had 79% greater liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities
and 47% lower liver retinol concentrations. Retinyl palmitate
concentrations were 50% lower among female nestlings. Island
nestlings showed similar responses, including 57% increase in
EROD, 28% reductions in retinol and 58% reduction in retinyl
palmitate concentrations. Liver lipid content increased with
sigmaPCBs in both sexes, and correlated with liver mass in males.
Malic enzyme activity and porphyrin concentrations showed little
association with sigmaPCBs. Although similar associations between
liver biomarkers and organochlorine exposure in fish-eating
birds are well documented, typically exposures involve multiple
contaminants and there is uncertainty about specific PCB effects.
Results from this study indicate that liver biomarkers respond
to relatively low PCB exposures (approximately 73 ng/g liver)
in guillemots.
Source: Kuzyk, Z.Z.A. et al.; Biological effects of marine
PCB contamination on black guillemot nestlings at Saglek, Labrador:
liver biomarkers; Ecotoxicology 12 (1-4): 183-197, 2003.
- Analysis of pesticides in water and sediment
under different storage conditions using gas chromatography –
This paper describes the testing a simple low-solvent method for
simultaneously extracting five classes of pesticides (triazines,
organophosphates, organochlorines, pyrethroids, and carbamates)
from reconstituted water and sediment. The method uses common
techniques, including solid phase extraction (SPE) and sonication
in combination with gas chromatography. The authors found pesticide
recoveries ranged from 60 to 120%. However, carbaryl, dicofol,
and methoxychlor had higher recoveries. Pond water and soil were
used to further test the method. The recoveries of pesticides
from soil were comparable with those from sediments. Pond water
recoveries of the organochlorines exceeded 100%. A matrix enhancement
effect was suspected to be the cause for the observed elevated
recoveries. The authors also evaluated storage time to determine
time range and conditions in which the samples can be stored without
significant losses. Recoveries of pesticides in water and sediment
were monitored for 28 days. Water samples were most stable when
extracted immediately and stored in SPEs in the freezer. These
samples remained stable for up to six weeks in the freezer. Sediment
samples were stored for a month without a significant decrease
in pesticide concentrations.
Source: Lyytikainen, M. et al.; Analysis of pesticides in
water and sediment under different strorage conditions using
gas chromatography; Archives of Environmental Contamination
and Toxicology 44 (4): 437-444, 2003.
-
A simplified approach for monitoring hydrophobic organic
contaminants associated with suspended sediment: methodology
and applications – Hydrophobic organic contaminants,
are frequently detected in bed sediment and in aquatic biota,
but rarely detected in whole-water samples. This complicates
determination of their occurrence, load, and source. The direct
analysis of sediment in suspension would be a better approach
for measuring the effects of hydrophobic organic contaminants.
However, procedures for direct measurement are expensive and
cumbersome. The authors describe a simple, inexpensive methodology
for dewatering sediment. Inline filtration of large volumes
of water allows the isolation of a sufficient mass of sediment
for analyses of organochlorine compounds and PAHs. The sediment
is removed from the filters and analyzed directly by standard
laboratory methods. In the first case study, suspended-sediment
sampling was used to determine occurrence, loads, and yields
of contaminants in urban runoff affecting biota in Town Lake,
Austin, TX. The second case study used suspended-sediment sampling
to locate a point source of PCBs in the Donna Canal in south
Texas, where fish are contaminated with PCBs. The case studies
demonstrate that suspended-sediment sampling can be an effective
tool for determining the occurrence, load, and source of hydrophobic
organic contaminants in transport.
Source: Mahler, B.J., and P.C. Van Metre; A simplified approach
for monitoring hydrophobic organic contaminants associated with
suspended sediment: methodology and applications; Archives
of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 44 (3): 288-297,
2003.
-
In situ microcosms to study the impact of heavy metals
resuspended by dredging on periphyton in a tropical estuary
– Reclamation, dredging, construction and shipping
heavily impact Ponggol estuary, located on the northeastern
coast of Singapore. Tin, lead, nickel, cadmium, copper and zinc
in the particulate and dissolved fraction and in sediments were
monitored biweekly in the estuary from July 1999 to June 2000.
The results show observed dissolved, particulate and sediments
fraction concentration ranges of
- Tin non detect (ND)-92 ppm
- Lead ND-303 ppm
- Nickel ND-2818 ppm
- Cadmium ND-74 ppm
- Copper ND-1117 ppm
- Zinc ND-137000 ppm
The authors noted intensive dredging activity occurred during
the monitoring period that may have led to the resuspension
and increased bioavailability of particulate metals. Periphytic
algae were established on glass slides and exposed to previously
measured environmental levels of heavy metals using in situ
estuarine microcosms. The toxicity of heavy metals in various
fractions to periphytic algae was assessed from the changes
in their chlorophyll a content. Cadmium had the least significant
effect followed by lead, zinc, nickel, tin and copper at all
concentrations tested. A reduction in periphyton biomass (with
respect to controls) of 95-100% was observed for treatments
with metals in particulate form. In addition, exposure to contaminated
sediments for 3 days significantly decreased chlorophyll a by
90-99% compared to controls. The authors suggest that high concentrations
of zinc (9893-17240 mg/L), copper (5-11 mg/L) and cadmium (1-1.8
mg/L) recorded in the aqueous phase of treatment microcosms,
and attributed to release from the contaminated sediments, could
account for the toxicity to periphyton.
Source: Nayar, S. et al.; In situ microcosms to study the
impact of heavy metals resuspended by dredging on periphyton
in a tropical estuary; Aqautic Toxicology 64 (3): 293-306,
2003.
- Delayed gametogenesis and progesterone levels in soft-shell
clams (Mya arenaria) in relation to in situ contamination
to organotins and heavy metals in the St. Lawrence River (Canada)
– There is a growing awareness that endocrine disrupting
contaminants in the aquatic environment may alter steroid hormone
levels and affect the reproductive success of the invertebrates.
This study attempted to determine the effect of heavy metals and
organotins on sexual maturation in Mya arenaria. Individuals
were collected from July to November 1998, at different sites
along the South coast of the St. Lawrence maritime estuary. Near
the Rimouski harbor, clams showed high levels of tributyltin (TBT),
and dibutyltin (DBT) in the gonad, along with a lower gonado-somatic
index {GSI=gonad wet weight (g)/body wet weight without shell
(g) x 100}, low progesterone levels and a delay in sexual maturation
when compared to the reference site. Sites that had intermediate
levels of contaminants exhibited intermediate responses of hormones
and sexual maturation stages. The authors suggested that TBT and
DBT are endocrine disruptors in clams. Further studies will however
be necessary to investigate in more details how contaminants such
as TBT can affect the steroid hormones production in the gonads
of M. arenaria.
Source: Siah, A. et al.; Delayed gametogenesis and progesterone
levels in soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) in relation to
in situ contamination to organotins and heavy metals in the St.
Lawrence River (Canada); Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 135 (2): 145-156, 2003.
- Direct determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
in solid matrices using laser desorption/laser photoionization
ion trap mass spectrometry – This study evaluated the
development and characterization of a new instrument for solid
sampling which couples IR laser desorption followed by UV laser
photo-ionization and analysis using an ion trap mass spectrometer.
The method was calibrated with a new type of solid sample preparation
involving activated charcoal as the solid substrate. This solid
sample provided a steady signal for several thousand-laser shots,
which allowed optimization of the experimental procedure. The
authors found that the IR and UV intensity and the delay between
them are important components of the observed magnitude and type
of signals. A method of gas phase accumulation with multiple laser
shots was examined. Finally, this technique was demonstrated to
be effective in providing direct qualitative information for N.I.S.T.
SRM 1944 river sediment sample with no sample pre-treatment.
Source: Specht, A.A., and M.W. Blades; Direct determination
of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solid matrices using laser
desorption/laser phontoionization ion trap mass spectrometry;
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 14 (6):
562-570, 2003.
- Histopathologic and histochemical biomarker responses of
Baltic clam, Macoma balthica, to contaminated Sydney Harbor
sediment, Nova Scotia, Canada – Sediments in Sydney
Harbour, Nova Scotia, are highly contaminated by PAHs, PCBs, and
heavy metals. The Baltic clam, Macoma balthica, was used
as a test organism and exposed to 11 Sydney Harbour sediment samples.
Histopathologic and histochemical evaluations were made. Histologic
lesions in digestive gland (tubular dilation or atrophy, macrophage
aggregates, tubular cell necrosis, and tissue inflammation) and
gonads (macrophage aggregates, supporting cell, germ cell, and
ovarian cell necroses) were frequently detected in clams exposed
to the most contaminated sediments from the harbor. Clams exposed
to these contaminated sediments also had the highest acid phosphatase
activity. The average scores of tubular dilation or atrophy, ovarian
cell necrosis, and the sums of mean digestive gland lesions correlated
significantly with sediment PCBs, and the activities of acid phosphatase
correlated significantly with sediment heavy metals, PAHs, and
PCBs. Among the lesions, digestive gland tubular dilation or atrophy,
tubular cell, germ cell, and ovarian cell necroses, and the activity
of acid phosphatase are the best sublethal effect indicators in
Macoma exposed to Sydney Harbour sediments.
Source: Tay, K.L. et al.; Histopathologic and histochemical
biomarker responses of Baltic clam, Macoma balthica, to
contaminated Sydney Harbor sediment, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (3): 273-280, 2003.
- Microbial mercury transformation in anoxic freshwater sediments
under iron-reducing and other electron-accepting conditions
– Different terminal electron-accepting processes (TEAPs)
were used to determine potential rates of microbial methylation
of inorganic mercury (added as HgCl2) and degradation of methyl
mercury (MeHg) (added as CH3HgCl). The authors investigated methylation
and degradation of mercury in anoxic sediments from the Mobile
Alabama River Basin (MARB). The authors used the following TEAPs:
- methanogenic conditions
- sulfate-reducing conditions
- iron-reducing conditions
Potential rates of methylation were comparable under methanogenic
and sulfate-reducing conditions but suppressed under iron-reducing
conditions, in slurries of freshwater wetland sediment. In contrast,
MeHg degradation rates were similar under all three TEAPs. Microbial
Hg methylation and MeHg degradation were also investigated in
surface sediment from three riverine sites, two of which had iron
reduction and one sulfate reduction, as the dominant TEAP. Methylation
was active in sulfate-reducing sediments of a tributary creek
and suppressed in iron-reducing, sandy sediments from the open
river, whereas MeHg degradation was active at all three sites.
Although iron-reducing conditions often suppressed methylation,
some methylation activity was observed in two out of three replicates
from iron-reducing sediments collected near a dam. Given that
MeHg degradation was consistently observed under all TEAPs, the
authors suggest that the net flux of MeHg from iron-reducing surface
sediments may be suppressed (due to inhibition of gross MeHg production)
compared to sediments supporting other TEAPs.
Source: Warner, K.A. et al.; Microbial mercury transformation
in anoxic freshwater sediments under iron-reducing and other electron-accepting
conditions; Environmental Science & Technology 37 (10):
2159-2165, 2003.
- Effects of sampling, preparation, and defecation on metal
concentrations in selected invertebrates at urban sites –
This study attempted to obtain basic information for designing
standardized test preparation methods. Heavy metals Zn, Cu, Cd
and Pb were measured in gastropods (Xerolenta obvia), oligochaetes
(Lumbricus terrestris), isopods (Armadillidium vulgare,
Trachelipus rathkei) and carabids (Harpalus rubripes,
Calathus fuscipes) using different sampling methods and
different modes of sample treatment.
- Higher Zn, Cd and Pb, and lower Cu-contents were observed
in isopods and carabids trapped with formalin-pitfalls compared
to manually collected specimens (which were allowed to defecate).
- Defecation had marked effects on the levels of all four
metals investigated in oligochaetes, and on Cd and Pb in gastropods
and isopods.
- Cellulose was fed as an accelerator of gut passage and showed
a significant effect on the Pb concentration in the soft body
of gastropods.
- Deionate-washed isopods (A. vulgare) showed higher
Cd concentrations than ultrasonic-cleaned individuals.
- No marked differences were observed between heat-dried and
freeze-dried isopods.
- Carabids showed strong sex-specific differences in metal
concentrations.
Based on these and previous results, the authors suggest that
invertebrates should be:
- Collected in vivo
- Allowed to defecate
- Freeze-fixed
- Ultrasonic-cleaned (at least in arthropods)
- Determined to species level and in certain groups (carabids)
also to sex
- Sized or sorted by size (age) before further preparation
and analysis.
If any of these treatments is impractical, comparable sampling
and preparation methods are recommended as a minimum requirement
in order to avoid bias in the results and/or interpretation.
Source: Zodl, B., and K.J. Wittmann; Effects of sampling,
preparation, and defecation on metal concentrations in selected
invertebrates at urban sites; Chemosphere 52 (7): 1095-1103,
2003.
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Other Journal Titles of Interest
- Temporal and spatial distributions of contaminants
in sediments of Santa Monica Bay, California. Bay, S. M.,
E.Y. Zeng, T.D. Lorenson, K. Tran, and C. Alexander. Marine
Environmental Research 56 (1-2): 255-276, 2003.
- Sedimentary nonylphenol contamination in an
urbanized, industrialized segment of the Delaware River estaury,
USA. Ashley, J.T.F., A. Moore, H.M. Stapleton, D.J. Velinsky,
and M.P. Wilhelm. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and
Toxicology 70 (5): 978-984, 2003.
- Modified clean-up for PBDD, PBDF, and PBDE with an active
carbon column--its application to sediments. Choi, J.W., J.
Onodera, K. Kitamura, S. Hashimoto, H. Ito, N. Suzuki, S. Sakai,
and M. Morita. Chemosphere, In Press, Available online 20 June,
2003.
- Toxicity assessment of sediement cores from
Santa Monica Bay, California. Greenstein, D., S. Bay, A. Jirik,
J. Brown, and C. Alexander. Marine Environmental Research 56
(1-2): 277-297, 2003.
- Examination of hydrophobic contaminant adsorption
in mineral micropores with grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations.
Luo, J., and J. Farrell. Environmental Science & Technology
37 (9): 1775-1782, 2003.
- In situ anaerobic degradation of petroleum alkanes in marine
sediments: preliminary results. Massias, D., V. Grossi, and
J.C. Bertrand. Comptes Rendus Geosciences 335 (5): 435-439,
2003.
- Effects of zinc and cadmium on the borrowing behavior, LC(50),
and LT(50) on Donax trunculus Linnaeus (Bivalvia-Donacidae).
Neuberger-Cywiak, L., Y. Achituv, and E.M. Garcia. Bulletin
of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 70 (4): 713-722,
2003.
- Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls in
sediment from the Twelve Mile Creek arm of Lake Hartwell, South
Carolina, USA. Pakdeesusuk, U., D.L. Freedman, C.M. Lee, and
J.T. Coates. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry/SETAC 22
(6): 1214-1220, 2003.
- Dehalogenation of 2,6-dibromobiphenyl and 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl
in contaminated estaurine sediment. Palekar, L.D., K.A. Maruya,
J.E. Kostka, and J. Wiegel. Chemosphere, In Press, Available
online 16 June, 2003.
- Sediment toxicity in Central and South Florida ecosystems.
Rand, G.M., J.F. Carriger, T.A. Lee, R.J. Pfeuffer, and L.E. Fink.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 70 (3):
494-501, 2003.
- Assessment of a sequential extraction procedure for perturbed
lead-contaminated samples with and without phosphorus amendments.
Scheckel, K.G., C.A. Impellitteri, J.A. Ryan, and T. McEvoy. Environmental
Science & Technology 37 (9): 1892-1898, 2003.
- Influence of desorption and contact time on sediment-water
distribution of spiked polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons: relation with in situ distribution.
ten Hulscher, T., B. Vrind, H. van den Heuvel, P. van Noort, and
H. Govers. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry/SETAC 22
(6): 1208-1213, 2003.
- Comparing methods and sediment contaminant indicators for
determining produced water fate in a Louisiana estuary. Woodall,
D.W., N.N. Rabalais, R.P. Gambrell, and R.D. DeLaune. Marine
Pollution Bulletin 46 (6): 731-740, 2003.
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Upcoming Events and Conferences
All weblinks will exit EPA 
- DIOXIN2003. The 23rd International Symposium on Halogenated
Environmental Organic Pollutants and POPs in Boston, Massachusetts
will be held August 24-29. Topics addressed at this conference
will include assessment and monitoring of persistent organic pollutants,
effects on human health, and environmental policy related to contaminated
sediments. For more information, visit www.dioxin2003.org/index1.htm
or contact Laura Biringer Michael P. Wasserman, Inc. 349 Newbury
Street #300, Boston, MA 02115. Phone 617-262-3424; fax 617-262-3387;
e-mail Lbiringer@mpwi.org.
- Coastal Structures Conference, Portland, Oregon. A Coastal
Structures Conference will take place August 26-29 at Embassy
Suites, Portland, Oregon. Topics to be addressed will include:
functional and structural design; rubble mound breakwaters, revetments,
jetties; shore protection structures; caisson breakwaters; innovative
structures; wave-structure interaction; physical modeling; geotechnical
design and performance; and many other subjects, including dredge
disposal caps/environmental containment. For more information,
contact the American Society of Civil Engineers, World Headquarters,
1801 Alexander Bell Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-4400. Phone:
800-548-2723 or 703-295-6300, or visit http://www.asce.org/conferences/coastal2003/index.cfm.
-
Ecohazard 2003 IWA Conference. This conference will
occur September 14-17 in Aachen, Germany. Environmentally toxic
substances, such as DNA-damaging chemicals, heavy metals and
other pollutants still pose many questions and await new solutions.
This conference provides the best opportunity for exchanging
scientific knowledge and recent views on the topics among scientists
and administrators. Ecohazard 2003 will include presentations
by leading scientists and policy makers of national and international
organizations. For more information, visit http://www.ecohazard2003.rwth-aachen.de/main.html.
- Second International Conference on the
Remediation of Contaminated Sediments - The Second International
Sediment Remediation Conference will be held in September 30th
through October 3rd in Venice, Italy. Organizers say the city
is an ideal setting for a conference on this topic because of
the sediments remediation efforts being exerted there by the local,
regional, and national governments. For more information, contact
the Conference Group at 800-783-6338 (U.S. and Canada) or 614-488-2030;
e-mail: info@confgroupinc.com; or visit the Sediment
Remediation Conference website.
- Contaminated Soils, Sediments, and Water. The conference
is from October 20-23 in Amherst, MA. For more information, contact
Denise Leonard at 413-545-1239 or info@UMassSoils.com. Web site:
www.umasssoils.com.
- U.S. Section PIANC Annual Meeting. This meeting is in
Portland, OR, occurring October 28-30. Roundtable on Protecting
America's Ports from Natural and Man-made Disasters. Technical
Workshops On Wetlands Restoration and Passing Vessel Issues.
Web site: http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/PIANC/home1.htm
- SETAC 24th Annual Meeting: Science Without Borders: Developing
Solutions for Global Environmental Challenges. This meeting
takes place November 8-13 in Austin, TX. This conference supports
efforts scientists and engineers to work together to develop solutions
to global problems. Topics including the factors influencing bioavailability
and sediment chemistry will be addressed. For more information,
contact SETAC North America, 1010 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola,
FL 32501. Phone: 850-469-1500; website: http://setac.org/austin.html.
- Specialist Dredging Techniques, Inspiring Dredging Solutions.
This conference occurs November 20-21 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The Central Dredging Association has programmed this conference
to present a state of the art review of specialized dredging techniques
and innovative approaches to individual dredging operations. The
conference addresses techniques for core business but also from
the so-called niche applications. The aim is to discuss and share
ideas and to initiate the exchange of experience and technology.
For more information, visit http://www.dredging.org
and click on the Dredging Days 2003 link.
- 14th Annual West Coast Confrence on Soil, Sediment, and Water.
The conference is March 15-18, 2004 in San Diego, CA. The workshop
will offer attendees an opportunity to exchange findings, ideas,
and recommendations in a professional setting. The strong and
diverse technical program has been developed to meet the changing
needs of the environmental field. For more information, visit
http://www.aehs.com/conferences/westcoast/index.htm
or contact Brenna Bartell at 413-549-5170 or e-mail brenna@aehs.com.
- Watersheds 2004. This conference takes place July 11-14,
2004 in Dearborn, Michigan. For more information visit http://environment.harvard.edu/lists/archives/envconfs-l/msg01994.html
or contact Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria,
VA 22314-1994. Phone: 703-684-2400 x7010; fax: 703-684-2413; e-mail:
watershed 04@wef.org.
- Coastal Structures Conference. The meeting occurs July
26-29, 2004 in Portland, Oregon. This conference will offer a
forum to discuss the following topics: functional and structural
design; rubble mound breakwaters, revetments, jetties; shore protection
structures; caisson breakwaters; innovative structures; wave-structure
interaction; physical modeling; geotechnical design and performance;
and many other subjects, including dredge disposal caps/environmental
containment. For more information, contact the American Society
of Civil Engineers, World Headquarters, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, Virginia 20191-4400. Phone: 800-548-2723 or 703-295-6300
or visit http://www.asce.org/conferences/coastal2003/index.cfm.
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Websites of Interest
All weblinks will exit EPA
EnviroTools. This website is a personal guide to involve
a community in the cleanup of a polluted site. The site provides
a collection of educational materials on Superfund and Brownfields
sites, along with sites cleaned up under state programs. www.envirotools.org/factsheets/contaminatedsediments.shtml
Chesapeake Ecotox Research Program (CERP). CERP is a multi-institutional
program that will develop a means for predicting the effects of
contaminant reduction strategies on living resources in the Chesapeake
Bay. The long-range aims of this five-year collaborative project
by scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Studies UMCES), the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS),
the Academy of Natural Sciences Estuarine Research Center (ANSERC)
and Old Dominion University (ODU) - all of which are members of
the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) - are to quantify how low,
but chronic levels of pollutants affect ecologically important Bay
species. www.mdsg.umd.edu/CERP/index.html
Coast Alliance. The Coast Alliance is a non-profit organization
that was formed to increase public awareness of the coast's immense
value, to bring new and important scientific facts about coastal
ecology to public attention, to encourage groups across the country
to work to protect valuable coastal resources, and to urge federal,
state and local governments to strengthen policies and programs
to protect coastal ecosystems and habitats. The Coast Alliance works
with more than 500 state, local, and national organizations dedicated
to preserving our ocean and coasts. The Coast Alliance provides
outreach and technical support to these groups, and focuses on three
major coastal problems: polluted runoff, coastal development, and
contaminated underwater sediments. http://www.coastalliance.org
SedWebSM is an online community designed
to promote improvements in contaminated sediments management and
research. This web site is sponsored by the South and Southwest
region of the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC), a five-center
consortium established and supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. www.sediments.org
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